3.10.2010

So, I've had a few weeks of non-stop running around, craziness, and I am exhausted. Mentally and physically. But I don't have the time to take a break (aside from the slow days at work... heh), so I look to funny websites to entertain me. Today these photos made my day. I wanted to share them with you. :)

One of the most horrific times in a girl's life is dress shopping. Now, most of you think that the skinny girls can't possibly have anything to complain about because they can fit into anything, but, quite frankly, dresses aren't all made equal. Every dress has it's own limitations and every dress is going to fit differently. Now, that's not to say that bigger girls aren't more traumatized by the experience (I know I am), but the fact of the matter is that each girl has a difficult time with dresses, no matter her size.

With that preface done, I'd like to share with you a recent experience that made me want to murder the sales lady... One of my good friends from college is getting married and, naturally, asked me to be in her wedding. This will be number 5. I think it's safe to say that I am a professional bridesmaid now. I'm not quite up to Jane Nichols level (27 Dresses), but I am rapidly approaching it. Especially since 3 more of my friends are getting married. *sigh* Anyway, I digress. So back to my story. I went up to West Cleveland with the bride, another friend who is a bridesmaid, and the other two girls in the wedding party, and the mother of the bride, to get fitted for our dresses. The ladies discretely took our measurements (no I will not share them with you) and then proceeded to show us cards that list our measurements and their appropriate sizes. When getting sized for a formal gown, three measurements are taken: bust, waist and hips. For two of us, two of the measurements were one size and one was a different size. The different size just so happened to be 5 sizes larger than we normally wear. No, that's not a lie, and yes, that is absurd. Because - here's the thing, the biggest part of my body fit into the smaller size, but they insisted it was not the biggest part of my body. Apparently they failed anatomy, which is why they are working in a dress shop.

So, to sum up, I informed the woman, as politely as I possibly could, that I would not be purchasing the larger size and having $400 in alterations done on it. I would simply stop eating for 5 months and purchase the smaller size. She did not find the humor in that. So, I said "no, I'll eat, I'll just throw it up later." She didn't think that was funny either. Nevertheless, the nasty woman I bought this overpriced piece of cloth from, informed me that I needed to be on a diet (thanks, lady, as if my self-esteem wasn't low enough...) and that I needed to sign and initial here saying I was on a diet (!!!!) and that I was aware I was purchasing a dress smaller than they suggested (!!!).

I will never go back to that place to buy a dress. Ever. I will never suggest it to people. Ever. I will forever despise the customer service and the way I was treated. I worked in sales, I know how it is, but I also know what it is like to talk to people in a way that is encouraging and supportive. To not look down on them because of their size. I, by no means, am a giant. I may be a little on the chunky side, but I'm otherwise healthy. My heartrate, blood pressure, cholesterol, lipids, blah blah blah are all at great levels. I am healthy. I just have some extra weight that hasn't completely been lost, and part of it is because of the medications I take, and part of it is because I work two full-time jobs and don't have time to exercise. But the other part of it is because I don't care. As long as I am healthy and I can fit into the clothes I own, it's not important to me. I think that the obsession with being 'skinny' is disgusting and is a terrible social trend. We should be obsessed with being HEALTHY.

So, that's my story. Someday I'll have a few more dresses in my closet to model. Maybe I'll make a movie about it! Oh, wait, they already did that. Darn.

3.04.2010

Email of the day from my fabulous friend Missy. We were discussing the fact that Sarah Palin has signed a deal for a new book, and checked out that information on CNN's Political Ticker, where the first picture was posted along with the story. Then Missy sent me this deliciousness:

"I love/hate her so much. Did you see the PICTURE of her??

“You will bow down to the power of my awesomeness”

Which reminded me of this:

Which leads me to this:

Which led me to this:

And I think I need to stop whilst I’m ahead . . . "

And thus began the saga of the first Email of the Day (EOTD). I hope you enjoyed as much as we have... :)

3.02.2010

I've been asked to be more descriptive and interpretive regarding my recent work in Mexico, so here goes. :)

Before I left for Mexico, I got the standard 'don't drink the water', 'don't wander around at night by yourself', and 'don't get stabbed' from friends and family. What they didn't tell me was to be sure I prepared myself to be awed, inspired, and fall in love with the country.

I love travelling. If I could get paid to travel the world, take pictures, and write about my experiences, I'd be a very rich lady. But, alas, that is not what I do. I try to do some good each time I travel, whether it's working in a soup kitchen, buying goods at a charity shop, or helping build homes in the local community. This trip, like many others I have taken, was with a group from my church. We went down to Tijuana to work with an organization called Esperanza International. This organization helps build homes in the local communities and provides support for the people that inhabit them.

My church group has been going for approximately 7 years. In these 7 years they have built a community of people with both the volunteers that are there during the same week as them, but also with the people they have built houses for. The families help build the homes, they provide lunch for those who are working, and they are responsible for the final painting and finishing of the home before they move into it.

Before I went to Mexico, I was all prepared for seeing poverty, dirt, trash, and all sorts of other heartbreaking images. I was not prepared to fall in love with the poverty, dirt, trash and other sorts of heartbreaking images. When I went back to school to get my Masters degree, I chose International Politics again, but I studied human rights violations with a renewed vigor, and that has been my research topic of choice ever since. I am constantly awed by the things that we can do to each other and how we treat one another.

Mexico was an eye-opening experience for many reasons. Initially, I was amazed by everything I saw and heard (yes I do speak some Spanish, so I understood what they said - for the most part), then I was awed by the work I went there to do. I knew what the organization was, what they did, and how they did it; but I didn't quite realize the impact it would have on my soul while I was there. We worked alongside the families to build their new homes - we put our blood, sweat and tears into those homes, and I couldn't be more humbled by that experience. Sure, our antiperspirant wasn't very effective after about 3 hours of digging, so we all smelled stanky (even man deodorant doesn't work well - I tried...), but that was the (uncomfortable) price to pay for making someone's life better.

The houses we were building were replacement houses for three families whose houses burned when an entire shanty town in Tijuana burned down. Currently, they are living in wood framed houses that are sparsely decorated. This doesn't bring their spirits down, though. It amazes me how contented and full of life someone who has lost almost everything can be. I am sure they would love to have big SUVs, brand new clothes, lots of money in the bank, and multi-million dollar houses; but they are content with the hand-me-down car and clothes, the meager wages they earn, and the 4 walls they have around them.

When we arrived at the building site, there were vendors constantly present trying to sell us bracelets, blankets, ponchos, purses, etc. These things were available almost anywhere else that we visited; they were on streetcorners, in shops, and almost everywhere else we visited. People were selling them to make ends meet. You don't see that here in the states. The experience was like none other. But in addition to the ever-present vendors, there were also a mass of dogs all over the place. Some were well taken care of, some were clearly pure bred, some were malnourished, and some were just existing; but no matter where you looked, there was a dog wandering around.

I cannot put into proper words the effect that Mexico had on my soul. All I can say is that I am changed from the experience, as I am changed from most experiences in my life. I have returned home with a renewed zeal for non-profit and human rights work, as well as a resolve to be more involved in my own community.

I wish for you all to have an experience like I have had in Mexico - to see how the other half truly lives, and not just what is shown on the television or in photos. Not only do I adore the Hispanic heritage and culture (everything sounds more beautiful in Spanish!), but I am in awe of the sights, sounds, and smells of Mexico; I cannot wait to go back next year and do some more good.

Please consider volunteering or donating to Esperanza International. They're doing incredible work for an incredible people.

Grab a button!!

Author:

B.A., M.A. International Relations.
I'm a pet momma, Auntie, friend, sister, daughter, crafty lady, and fan of everything good in life. I try to find the silver lining in every situation and the good in everyone. I hope you enjoy my odyssey through life as much as I enjoy living and telling it.